Jun 5, 2017, 6:48 am
Last edit by: plunet
Wiki last updated: 21 July 2017 18:00 UTC
Summary of key traveller experiences and feedback on this forum since Mid-June
Some specific data points from other travellers:
(but there is a lot more valuable information if you can trawl back through the thread)
#753 CAI-LHR-DOH been offered as alternative for ex-CAI 4 days prior to 1st sector.
#772 KUL-DOH-LXR reroute to CAI and IST refused
#792 AUH-DOH-DPS by QR rebooked to DXB-HKG-DPS by CX
#794 Australia-DOH-HBE rebooked as DOH-BEY on QR on 2nd attempt.
#808 CAI>DOH>BOS>DOH>CAI rebooked to KRT and date change
#818 SYD-DOH-CAI changed to SYD-DOH-KWI-CAI, layovers optimed and +Qatar stopover
#830 and #840 Economy ICN-DOH-DXB rebooked onto CX ICN-HKG-DXB
#849 ex-CAI ininaries changed to ex-AMM but needed to HUACA a few times.
#856 CAI-DOH-BKK changed to FCO-DOH-BKK all on QR
#868 DFW-DOH-HBE changed to DFW-DOH-LCA all on QR 2 weeks out.
#906 Unable to get LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE rerouted until 72 hours prior
#927 CAI-DOH-BKK rebooked onto CAI-BAH-AMM on Gulf DOH-BKK (on QR) and return back to AMM
#966 DXB-DOH (award ticket) was changed to DXB-KWI-DOH on Kuwait+QR 48hrs in advance
#966 DOH-CAI (2 award tickets) were changed to DOH-BEY on QR 48 hours advance
#966 CAI-DOH-MUC (paid business) were changed to BEY-DOH-MUC 72 hours advance
#981 HKT-DOH-DWC (J/F tix) change to HKT-DOH-KWI all on QR 10 days out.
#985 ex-LXR ticket rerouted by OTA as CAI-BEY-DOH outside the 72 hr window
#1004 BKK-DOH-CAI in F rebooked as BKK-DOH-BEY in QR F, BEY-CAI in C on ME
#1005 HEL-DOH-DXB rebooked HEL-DOH-MCT on QR and MCT-DXB on Oman once ticket status went to unconfirmed.
#1057 MAN-DOH-DXB rebooked as MAN-LHR-DXB on BA (had to HUACA 3 times)
#1141 Multiple ex-CAI itineraries CAI-DOK-BKK return in J, CAI-DOH-LHR return in J, CAI-DOH-BKK single in F changed to all be ex-KWI. Had to HUACA 3 times.
#1157 LXR-DOH-NRT booked in January, flight changed to CAI-DOH-NRT
#1172 Rebooked CAI-(F)-DOH(J)-BKK to CAI-(C/ME)-BEY-(F)-DOH-(C)-BKK at 77hrs from departure
#1173 Rebooked at QR office HBE-DOH-DPS to HBE-IST-DOH-DPS on TK/TK/QR and improved timing on DOS-DPS segment
Offical guidance from QR website as of mid July:
What Happened
On the 6th of June flights from Qatar to Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (and vice versa) were suspended.
This includes all Qatar flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, Abha, Alexandria–Borg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Dubai–International, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Luxor, Madinah, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Tabuk, Ta'if and Yanbu.
Adding to this at 00:00 (UTC) on the 6th of June restrictions were put in place limiting flights to Doha to one particular corridor through the airspace of Bahrain. This has since been relaxed to two specific corridors through Bahrain airspace with a second corridor up the Saudi Arabia the new addition.
All other flights to other Qatar Airways destinations including the Maldives are still operating although some have delays due to the extended time required to avoid restricted airspace.
There are a couple of routes that are having to make fuel stops in Athens or Muscat but this seems to be dependent on the type of aircraft as well.
Details on the Airspace can be found here - https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/f...ain-and-egypt/
What about my Flights to other destinations?
Flights to Europe, Asia, Pacific and Norte America are operating as per schedule with minimal delays. There is no need to contact QR regarding these services.
Flights between Doha and Souto America are facing delays due to longer times and/or need for a technical stop-over. Flights to GRU and EZE are 2hr to 5hrs longer.
Flight between Doha and Africa/Middle East have longer flights times due to the airspace restrictions. Some routes like Doha to Khartoum have felt the full force of the restrictions with the flight now taking 2hr 30 mins longer than normal.
Qatar has begun to re-time flights to ensure the network continues running smoothly. Changes have been since Monday 12 June 2017, so it is advised to check your flight status and times on the Qatar website.
What about my flight to a suspended destination?
If you are due to fly in the next few days, search for alternative routings and note them down.
24 hours before your scheduled departure time, contact your LOCAL QR office, and ask for their assistance. Advise them that you have found an alternative routing which you would be willing to accept and see if they will book it for you.
If you are due to fly more than 5 days from today, try and relax. Do not panic and please do not call QR as you are blocking the lines for those flying in the next 24 hours. At this stage, Qatar is only offering options to those who are traveling in the next 24 hours.
Currently, people in the thread have suggested that Qatar is rebooking on flights through Muscat, Kuwait, Amman, Istanbul, Mumbai, Beirut, Athens and Tunis.
You can only get a refund if your booking is to one of the destinations listed at the top! (The number of people asking QR on Twitter for a refund of other flights is amazing)
What about other airlines?
Most other carriers in and out of Doha are still operating except for Air Arabia, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Rotana Jet and Saudia.
Most other carriers are using the new restricted routes into Doha although provided the aircraft is not registered in Qatar they are allowed to use the Saudi Arabia or Egypt Airspace.
Timeline of Events:
5 June 2017
- UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
- All MS flights between CAI and DOH was zeroed out
- All GF flights between BAH and DOH closed for sale
- All QR flights between DOH and CAI closed for sale
- All QR staff travel was canceled
6 June 2017
- Airspace Restriction came into effect at 00:00 (UTC)
- All QR flights between DOH and UAE/Bahrain/KSA closed for sale
- QR flights between DOH and MLE still bookable
- QR Charters 3 aircraft from Jeddah to Muscat
7 June 2017
- QR Charters an aircraft from Jeddah to Kuwait
8 June 2017
- Qatar Airways website blocked in the UAE
- Qatar Airways offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain close
11 June 2017
- Second flight corridor added along the Saudi Arabia Coast
13 June 2017
- UAE Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar but they are still not allowing flights between the UAE and Qatar from any operators.
- Egypt Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar. The new rules also allow for non Qatar or Egypt registered aircraft to operate flights between the two countries.
14 June 2017
- Agreement between QR and BA/A3 on reticketing passengers (link below)
Further information:
- QR Travel Alert http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...bile_site=true
- QR FAQs http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
- QR Charter flights arranged from Jeddah KSA to Muscat Oman http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...Muscat-to-Doha
- QR agreement with BA & A3 to reticket their flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...r-help-qr.html
- Political background and latest updates: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
Summary of key traveller experiences and feedback on this forum since Mid-June
- Policy statement (link) for the travel industry issued 15th June 2017
- Refund is always an option, but very varied experiences of how quickly the refund is processed, from a few days to "still waiting". Some experiences of passengers being pressurised into taking refunds when this is not necessary if you can wait.
- If you want to reroute from a closed destination to another middle east destination still served by QR, you might be able to do this as early as 30 days from 1st sector, although we have had reports of rerouting at 6 weeks out.
- Where QR have to reroute onto other carriers, long haul reroutes typically onto BA, CX and TK seem to be quoted most often. In the Gulf region ME, KU, WY are quoted most often. Although RJ is a OneWorld carrier and should be a parter for QR, they are not accepting QR rerouted tickets.
- Status of reservations for travel to affected destinations typically changes to "Unconfirmed" 7 days ahead of travel.
- If your booking was via a 3rd party or agent you probably can't get Qatar to change the ticket until 72 hours before the first sector. 3rd parties and agents seem to be offering refunds rather than rerouting, although there has been some success if you can show them the QR rebooking policy document.
- There has been a very mixed bag of reports of how QR are handling rebooking. Some people have no luck getting itineraries changed before 72 hours before departure, but others do. So some good advice is to always be polite but if you don't get what you want, then thank the agent for their time and HUACA (hang up and call again) - preferably after you have had a drink and have calmed down, and maybe calling a different office.
Some specific data points from other travellers:
(but there is a lot more valuable information if you can trawl back through the thread)
#753 CAI-LHR-DOH been offered as alternative for ex-CAI 4 days prior to 1st sector.
#772 KUL-DOH-LXR reroute to CAI and IST refused
#792 AUH-DOH-DPS by QR rebooked to DXB-HKG-DPS by CX
#794 Australia-DOH-HBE rebooked as DOH-BEY on QR on 2nd attempt.
#808 CAI>DOH>BOS>DOH>CAI rebooked to KRT and date change
#818 SYD-DOH-CAI changed to SYD-DOH-KWI-CAI, layovers optimed and +Qatar stopover
#830 and #840 Economy ICN-DOH-DXB rebooked onto CX ICN-HKG-DXB
#849 ex-CAI ininaries changed to ex-AMM but needed to HUACA a few times.
#856 CAI-DOH-BKK changed to FCO-DOH-BKK all on QR
#868 DFW-DOH-HBE changed to DFW-DOH-LCA all on QR 2 weeks out.
#906 Unable to get LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE rerouted until 72 hours prior
#927 CAI-DOH-BKK rebooked onto CAI-BAH-AMM on Gulf DOH-BKK (on QR) and return back to AMM
#966 DXB-DOH (award ticket) was changed to DXB-KWI-DOH on Kuwait+QR 48hrs in advance
#966 DOH-CAI (2 award tickets) were changed to DOH-BEY on QR 48 hours advance
#966 CAI-DOH-MUC (paid business) were changed to BEY-DOH-MUC 72 hours advance
#981 HKT-DOH-DWC (J/F tix) change to HKT-DOH-KWI all on QR 10 days out.
#985 ex-LXR ticket rerouted by OTA as CAI-BEY-DOH outside the 72 hr window
#1004 BKK-DOH-CAI in F rebooked as BKK-DOH-BEY in QR F, BEY-CAI in C on ME
#1005 HEL-DOH-DXB rebooked HEL-DOH-MCT on QR and MCT-DXB on Oman once ticket status went to unconfirmed.
#1057 MAN-DOH-DXB rebooked as MAN-LHR-DXB on BA (had to HUACA 3 times)
#1141 Multiple ex-CAI itineraries CAI-DOK-BKK return in J, CAI-DOH-LHR return in J, CAI-DOH-BKK single in F changed to all be ex-KWI. Had to HUACA 3 times.
#1157 LXR-DOH-NRT booked in January, flight changed to CAI-DOH-NRT
#1172 Rebooked CAI-(F)-DOH(J)-BKK to CAI-(C/ME)-BEY-(F)-DOH-(C)-BKK at 77hrs from departure
#1173 Rebooked at QR office HBE-DOH-DPS to HBE-IST-DOH-DPS on TK/TK/QR and improved timing on DOS-DPS segment
Offical guidance from QR website as of mid July:
Passengers who have purchased their tickets from Qatar Airways have the following options to refund their tickets:
For tickets booked on qatarairways.com, they can:
Passengers who have purchased their Qatar Airways tickets through a Travel Agency can request their refund from the issuing Travel Agent.
For tickets booked on qatarairways.com, they can:
- Go to Refund requests;
- They can approach their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
- They can call the Qatar Airways contact Centre at +974 4022 0072
- Contact their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
- Call Qatar Airways Contact Centre on +974 4022 0072
Passengers who have purchased their Qatar Airways tickets through a Travel Agency can request their refund from the issuing Travel Agent.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kingdom of Bahrain and Egypt please use: https://refundsapp1.blueivysync.com/...er-refund.html
This is a different web form as the Qatar website is blocked from some of these countries.
This is a different web form as the Qatar website is blocked from some of these countries.
For further information and FAQs please visit: http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
On the 6th of June flights from Qatar to Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (and vice versa) were suspended.
This includes all Qatar flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, Abha, Alexandria–Borg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Dubai–International, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Luxor, Madinah, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Tabuk, Ta'if and Yanbu.
Adding to this at 00:00 (UTC) on the 6th of June restrictions were put in place limiting flights to Doha to one particular corridor through the airspace of Bahrain. This has since been relaxed to two specific corridors through Bahrain airspace with a second corridor up the Saudi Arabia the new addition.
All other flights to other Qatar Airways destinations including the Maldives are still operating although some have delays due to the extended time required to avoid restricted airspace.
There are a couple of routes that are having to make fuel stops in Athens or Muscat but this seems to be dependent on the type of aircraft as well.
Details on the Airspace can be found here - https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/f...ain-and-egypt/
What about my Flights to other destinations?
Flights to Europe, Asia, Pacific and Norte America are operating as per schedule with minimal delays. There is no need to contact QR regarding these services.
Flights between Doha and Souto America are facing delays due to longer times and/or need for a technical stop-over. Flights to GRU and EZE are 2hr to 5hrs longer.
Flight between Doha and Africa/Middle East have longer flights times due to the airspace restrictions. Some routes like Doha to Khartoum have felt the full force of the restrictions with the flight now taking 2hr 30 mins longer than normal.
Qatar has begun to re-time flights to ensure the network continues running smoothly. Changes have been since Monday 12 June 2017, so it is advised to check your flight status and times on the Qatar website.
What about my flight to a suspended destination?
If you are due to fly in the next few days, search for alternative routings and note them down.
24 hours before your scheduled departure time, contact your LOCAL QR office, and ask for their assistance. Advise them that you have found an alternative routing which you would be willing to accept and see if they will book it for you.
If you are due to fly more than 5 days from today, try and relax. Do not panic and please do not call QR as you are blocking the lines for those flying in the next 24 hours. At this stage, Qatar is only offering options to those who are traveling in the next 24 hours.
Currently, people in the thread have suggested that Qatar is rebooking on flights through Muscat, Kuwait, Amman, Istanbul, Mumbai, Beirut, Athens and Tunis.
You can only get a refund if your booking is to one of the destinations listed at the top! (The number of people asking QR on Twitter for a refund of other flights is amazing)
What about other airlines?
Most other carriers in and out of Doha are still operating except for Air Arabia, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Rotana Jet and Saudia.
Most other carriers are using the new restricted routes into Doha although provided the aircraft is not registered in Qatar they are allowed to use the Saudi Arabia or Egypt Airspace.
Timeline of Events:
5 June 2017
- UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
- All MS flights between CAI and DOH was zeroed out
- All GF flights between BAH and DOH closed for sale
- All QR flights between DOH and CAI closed for sale
- All QR staff travel was canceled
6 June 2017
- Airspace Restriction came into effect at 00:00 (UTC)
- All QR flights between DOH and UAE/Bahrain/KSA closed for sale
- QR flights between DOH and MLE still bookable
- QR Charters 3 aircraft from Jeddah to Muscat
7 June 2017
- QR Charters an aircraft from Jeddah to Kuwait
8 June 2017
- Qatar Airways website blocked in the UAE
- Qatar Airways offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain close
11 June 2017
- Second flight corridor added along the Saudi Arabia Coast
13 June 2017
- UAE Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar but they are still not allowing flights between the UAE and Qatar from any operators.
- Egypt Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar. The new rules also allow for non Qatar or Egypt registered aircraft to operate flights between the two countries.
14 June 2017
- Agreement between QR and BA/A3 on reticketing passengers (link below)
Further information:
- QR Travel Alert http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...bile_site=true
- QR FAQs http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
- QR Charter flights arranged from Jeddah KSA to Muscat Oman http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...Muscat-to-Doha
- QR agreement with BA & A3 to reticket their flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...r-help-qr.html
- Political background and latest updates: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
Jun 19, 2017, 4:31 pm
#886
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 509
My travel is in exactly two weeks and I've called the US line, the Bahrain line and the Australia line. US/Bahrain have said they won't make changes until 72hrs before departure. Australia said not until 24hrs before departure. (I booked directly with Qatar)
A bit ridiculous - I have 7 other flights that week and can't afford to wait until the last possible minute to figure out if I need to adjust those as well.
I empathize with the situation, but the consistency of the rules seems to be non existent. As a customer, this is frustrating and disappointing.
A bit ridiculous - I have 7 other flights that week and can't afford to wait until the last possible minute to figure out if I need to adjust those as well.
I empathize with the situation, but the consistency of the rules seems to be non existent. As a customer, this is frustrating and disappointing.
Jun 19, 2017, 7:07 pm
#887
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,764
Jun 19, 2017, 7:35 pm
#888
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
My travel is in exactly two weeks and I've called the US line, the Bahrain line and the Australia line. US/Bahrain have said they won't make changes until 72hrs before departure. Australia said not until 24hrs before departure. (I booked directly with Qatar)
A bit ridiculous - I have 7 other flights that week and can't afford to wait until the last possible minute to figure out if I need to adjust those as well.
I empathize with the situation, but the consistency of the rules seems to be non existent. As a customer, this is frustrating and disappointing.
A bit ridiculous - I have 7 other flights that week and can't afford to wait until the last possible minute to figure out if I need to adjust those as well.
I empathize with the situation, but the consistency of the rules seems to be non existent. As a customer, this is frustrating and disappointing.
Jun 20, 2017, 12:04 am
#889
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,035
there are 2 type of changes. 1 type is to change to qatar operated flight, qr is flexible on those as they cost them little money. the second type is to change to other airlibe, which would cost qatar real money. because it costs real money, qatar wont be changing those untile close.to departure as they are 100% sure the issue wont be resolved.
Jun 20, 2017, 12:56 am
#891
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
pbd456 I have the impression that that is the only solution TAs are offering!
So for many who do not wish to go that way I would suggest: Wait until QR take control of the reservation three days before departure and let them provide a, hopefully acceptable, solution.
So for many who do not wish to go that way I would suggest: Wait until QR take control of the reservation three days before departure and let them provide a, hopefully acceptable, solution.
.
Jun 20, 2017, 2:59 am
#893
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: CPH
Programs: SAS Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 162
Have a (unbelievably cheap, basically tax only) RT booking for CPH-DOH-DXB and called in to suggest simply dropping the DOH-DXB portion and stay in Doha, but they were not touching reservations post June 27th... I get why, but also kind of odd since I'm saving them money!
Jun 20, 2017, 3:46 am
#894
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
Have a (unbelievably cheap, basically tax only) RT booking for CPH-DOH-DXB and called in to suggest simply dropping the DOH-DXB portion and stay in Doha, but they were not touching reservations post June 27th... I get why, but also kind of odd since I'm saving them money!
When the time comes QR will reroute you to DXB, probably via MCT.
If you try to force a cancellation of DOH-DXB before 27 June you will find that the revised ticket (CPH-DOH) has to be repriced at the fare for the day of travel. Fares CPH-DOH are under normal circumstances much more expensive than CPH-DOH-DXB. Thus you have a big fare difference to pay. After 27 June the result will probably be the same.
Whether you recognise it or not what you are trying to do is to cheat QR out of the CPH-DOH fare!
Do not consider staying in DOH since your return journey starts in DXB and a noshow in DXB would very probably result in the cancellation of the DOH-CPH sector so you would be stuck in DOH!
Jun 20, 2017, 3:54 am
#895
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: CPH
Programs: SAS Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 162
jjakobv84 indeed if you were to insist on dropping the DOH-DXB leg before three days before then you you would not only be saving them money you would actually be putting a considerable sum of your own money into their coffers!
When the time comes QR will reroute you to DXB, probably via MCT.
If you try to force a cancellation of DOH-DXB before 27 June you will find that the revised ticket (CPH-DOH) has to be repriced at the fare for the day of travel. Fares CPH-DOH are under normal circumstances much more expensive than CPH-DOH-DXB. Thus you have a big fare difference to pay. After 27 June the result will probably be the same.
Whether you recognise it or not what you are trying to do is to cheat QR out of the CPH-DOH fare!
Do not consider staying in DOH since your return journey starts in DXB and a noshow in DXB would very probably result in the cancellation of the DOH-CPH sector so you would be stuck in DOH!
When the time comes QR will reroute you to DXB, probably via MCT.
If you try to force a cancellation of DOH-DXB before 27 June you will find that the revised ticket (CPH-DOH) has to be repriced at the fare for the day of travel. Fares CPH-DOH are under normal circumstances much more expensive than CPH-DOH-DXB. Thus you have a big fare difference to pay. After 27 June the result will probably be the same.
Whether you recognise it or not what you are trying to do is to cheat QR out of the CPH-DOH fare!
Do not consider staying in DOH since your return journey starts in DXB and a noshow in DXB would very probably result in the cancellation of the DOH-CPH sector so you would be stuck in DOH!
Jun 20, 2017, 4:08 am
#896
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Could we please stop with the pretence of saving them money when the sole purpose of your proposition is to use that cheap fare and not having to fly a leg you didn't really want anyway.
Just say that you hope these circumstances would offer you the opportunity to benefit even more from these low fares. No shame in that but we all know what's hapening here. No need to be a hypocrite about it.
Just say that you hope these circumstances would offer you the opportunity to benefit even more from these low fares. No shame in that but we all know what's hapening here. No need to be a hypocrite about it.
Jun 20, 2017, 4:38 am
#897
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ADL
Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All
Posts: 1,137
Could we please stop with the pretence of saving them money when the sole purpose of your proposition is to use that cheap fare and not having to fly a leg you didn't really want anyway.
Just say that you hope these circumstances would offer you the opportunity to benefit even more from these low fares. No shame in that but we all know what's hapening here. No need to be a hypocrite about it.
Just say that you hope these circumstances would offer you the opportunity to benefit even more from these low fares. No shame in that but we all know what's hapening here. No need to be a hypocrite about it.
Jun 20, 2017, 5:02 am
#898
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
Has anyone heard lately what's being offered for Helsinki (HEL) to the UAE (DXB in my case)? I'm still about a month off travel, so much too far away to go phoning up Qatar Airways about it, but getting close enough to need to plan for the rest of the trip.
I do actually want to go to Dubai, so stopping short in Doha doesn't help me! A BA or Finnair flight to LHR then BA onwards wouldn't be as nice planes/service as QR, but I don't fancy having to go from Doha to Oman or Kuwait with layovers to get onwards to Dubai. Anyone heard if the BA via LHR option is still being offered 1/3 days out for people heading to the UAE from up north?
I do actually want to go to Dubai, so stopping short in Doha doesn't help me! A BA or Finnair flight to LHR then BA onwards wouldn't be as nice planes/service as QR, but I don't fancy having to go from Doha to Oman or Kuwait with layovers to get onwards to Dubai. Anyone heard if the BA via LHR option is still being offered 1/3 days out for people heading to the UAE from up north?
Jun 20, 2017, 5:03 am
#899
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA LTG/GFL, Honors Diamond, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Silver
Posts: 718
BA have issued a rebooking guideline to their agents for journeys that can't be completed on QR, due to the blockade. If it's within 72 hours of scheduled departure, BA agents have been told they can rebook a 157 QR ticket (they must be able to read and take control of the 157 coupons so presumably cannot be issued via a TA) onto a route via LHR on BA metal, BA codes, 125 ticket, same cabin, lowest fare class in cabin. So you might be able to get CPH-LHR-DXB on BA. For a QR multi class booking the rules do not specify which cabin you get rebooked into - I would guess the lowest cabin in the original booking.
Last edited by rjn21; Jun 20, 2017 at 5:19 am
Jun 20, 2017, 5:42 am
#900
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
You can always ask, but being angry is a bit much.
Last edited by RTW1; Jun 20, 2017 at 6:08 am